National Affairs: Twelve Lost Years

An award of $112,291 is "a mere token," reflected Judge Fred A. Young in
Manhattan last week, "for all the wealth of the State of New York could
not compensate the claimant for the mental anguish suffered through
nearly twelve years of false imprisonment, under the impression that he
would be there for the rest of his life."

The claimant, Louis Hoffner, studied the judge from across the hearing
room, his face drawn and tired-looking. "Inherent also in this
decision." the judge continued, "must be the fact that the District
Attorney's office had possession...